Ad hoc

In Dutch law, the term ad hoc is used to denote that a measure is not structural or permanent, but is established solely for a specific situation or issue. This may relate, for example, to a committee, a scheme or a procedure that applies only to the matter at hand.

Its relevance lies in the flexibility it affords in circumstances where standard procedures are inadequate or unsuitable, such as in urgent matters or unique situations arising in administrative law, corporate law or the law of procedure.

In practice, the term is commonly employed in connection with the creation of temporary working groups or ad hoc decisions, for instance in shareholders’ agreements or board resolutions.